June 04, 2014- News Briefs

AENEAS VALLEY – Tom Allen’s home east of Tonasket burned to the ground Friday morning.

Firefighters were called at 9:50 a.m. to 121 Long Lake Lane. Fire District No. 16 arrived to find the wooden structure fully engulfed in flames.

The blaze spread to the grass.

Because of the lack of a water supply, the home was beyond saving so firefighters concentrated on stopping the wildfire, Okanogan County Emergency Manager Scott Miller said.

“They lived off the grid, so the only water was from a cistern up on the hill,” he said.

Fire District No. 16 Chief Bob Bauer reported four brush trucks and one engine responded and dumped 2,500 gallons of water and foam on the blaze.

Other agencies responding were the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, state Department of Natural Resources, Tonasket Fire Department and Tonasket EMS.

Miller said Allen and his wife were offered Red Cross assistance, but declined. He said they don’t have a phone, so officials don’t know where they’re staying.

The fire’s cause is unknown.

Border Patrol post celebrates 90 years

OROVILLE – Border Patrol agents and guests celebrated the 90th anniversary of the U.S. Border Patrol at the Oroville Station during a ceremony last Wednesday.

“As we celebrate the Border Patrol’s 90th anniversary and our proud legacy, we are reminded of the dedication, vigilance and sacrifices the men and women of Border Patrol make every day in protecting the United States,” Oroville Station Agent-in-Charge Kolo Moser said.

In 1924, as one of the original Border Patrol Sectors, Spokane began to establish small stations along the Northern Border.

The Oroville Station was opened as a part of the new Spokane Sector to monitor border activity along the eastern side of the Cascades.

Canadians sentence smuggler to 6 years

PENTICTON, B.C. — A Mexican drug smuggler caught at the Osoyoos border was sentenced last Monday to six years in jail.

Andy J. Garcia Macias, born in 1995, was arrested in January for smuggling cocaine across the U.S. border into Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police reported. He had travelled from Mexico, crossing the border on foot into the U.S., making his way north.

He was travelling with another man who was arrested on the American side of the border.

No drugs were found on him, but officials reported finding a backpack in the area on the Canadian side of the border that contained cocaine.

Garcia Macias is serving his sentence in Canadian federal prison.

Avalanches close Winthrop trails

WINTHROP – Avalanche debris has temporarily closed two National Forest trails west of town.

Avalanches this winter damaged the West Fork Methow and Cutthroat trails, blocking the way with trees, brush and logs, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

“There is a considerable amount of debris on each trail, so it will take some time to get them open,” said Jennifer Zbyszewski, the Methow Valley Ranger District’s program manager of recreation, wilderness and facilities.

“We’re going to repair the Harts Pass road as soon as possible,” she said. “We know folks are anxious to drive up that road to see the wildlife, flowers and beautiful views. We hope to have it open within the next few weeks.”